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Historic Markers Across Alabama

Boykin Mercantile Store In Gee's Bend

Marker ID:

ABT

Location:

Gees Bend, AL

County:

Wilcox

Coordinates:

Waymark:

None

Text:

Side 1:In the late 1920s and early 1930s, the Governor of Alabama came to Gee's Bend with projects to help the community. Among those projects was a community-operated store or"co-op.” After poor community management and a temporary closing, father and son, Roman and Eddie Pettway, along with three other stockholders, made the co-op the"World Trade Center” of Gee's Bend. This store provided groceries, shoes, clothing, feef, and even credit for the community. After buying out the three stockholders because of vermin and credit issues, Roman then began preparing his granddaughter Tinnie for operation of the store which became known as Boykin Mercantile Store. Years after returning from Connecticut, Tinnie worked as a daycare director for 17 years before becoming the manager of the store. Tinnie has since achieved acclaim as one of the famed Quilters of Gee's Bend and the area's first published author. The store seen here is the original structure that Roman Pettway built on his family land and left as a legacy for his family and the Gee's Bend Community.

Marker Dedication: Gee's Bend May Day, May 1, 2010Erected by the Alabama Tourism Department and the Community of Gee's Bend

Side 2:In the late 1920s and early 1930s, the Governor of Alabama came to Gee's Bend with projects to help the community. Among those projects was a community-operated store or"co-op.” After poor community management and a temporary closing, father and son, Roman and Eddie Pettway, along with three other stockholders, made the co-op the"World Trade Center” of Gee's Bend. This store provided groceries, shoes, clothing, feef, and even credit for the community. After buying out the three stockholders because of vermin and credit issues, Roman then began preparing his granddaughter Tinnie for operation of the store which became known as Boykin Mercantile Store. Years after returning from Connecticut, Tinnie worked as a daycare director for 17 years before becoming the manager of the store. Tinnie has since achieved acclaim as one of the famed Quilters of Gee's Bend and the area's first published author. The store seen here is the original structure that Roman Pettway built on his family land and left as a legacy for his family and the Gee's Bend Community.

Marker Dedication: Gee's Bend May Day, May 1, 2010Erected by the Alabama Tourism Department and the Community of Gee's Bend